News

May: New grammar schools will help create ‘true meritocracy’

An “ambitious package of education reforms” including new grammar schools and measures to force top universities to sponsor schools will help make the country “a true meritocracy”, the prime minister will claim this morning.

In a major speech, Theresa May will launch the new government’s green paper, including plans to scrap the “arbitrary rule” which prevents new grammar schools from opening.

We are going to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few

“We are going to build a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few,” May will claim today. “A fundamental part of that is having schools that give every child the best start in life, regardless of their background.”

She will say that the country has for too long “tolerated a system that contains an arbitrary rule preventing selective schools from being established”, which she claims has sacrificed children’s potential “because of dogma and ideology”.

“The truth is that we already have selection in our school system – and its selection by house price, selection by wealth. That is simply unfair.

“That is why I am announcing an ambitious package of education reforms to ensure that every child has the chance to go to a good school. As well as allowing new selective schools we will bring forward a new requirement that means universities who want to charge higher fees will be required to establish a new school or sponsor an existing underperforming school.

“This is about being unapologetic for our belief in social mobility and making this country a true meritocracy – a country that works for everyone.”

Whatever happened to the last White Paper that was going to change kids’ lives for the better? Oh, hang on, that was all of 6 months ago – ancient history. Let’s look forward to the new White Paper in 3 months’ time that will transform lives and bring about excellence everywhere for everyone, based on fresh air and the pipe dreams of nostalgia-victims.